Page 88 of Fierce Pursuit

Something I didn’t understand well enough to trust yet.

Walking into the bedroom, I left the door cracked, just enough to keep her in my line of sight. With a deep breath, I dialed the number I should have called before I even set foot on American soil.

The line rang once before Gregor answered. “Ob'yasnis'. Seychas.”Explain yourself. Now.

His tone was flat, but there was weight behind it.

I clenched my jaw. “This was personal, not business,” I said. “But I apologize for not informing you the moment I landed.”

“That is no excuse. I want an answer. Why didn’t you?”

“Like I said, it was personal. It didn’t involve the family business.”

I hadn’t meant for my irritation to bleed into my voice. I needed to tread carefully. I needed his help. Gregor was usually willing to assist his cousins. Usually. But if he decided I was more trouble than I was worth…

His annoyance was palpable. “I decide what does and doesn’t involve the family business, not you.”

Ignoring Gregor had been a bad fucking idea.

Other Russians whispered that his wife had made him soft.

I knew better.

Gregor hadn’t lost his edge. He waited. He watched. He learned.

Then, when you least expected it, he struck with aferocity that could make the devil himself take a step back.

I exhaled, bracing myself. “My wife died because of this bastard.”

A beat of silence. Then, flatly, Gregor said, “Ya znayu. Moi soboleznovaniya.” His condolences.

He didn’t mean it. We both knew it.

He was the one who had told me Veronika was making a fool of me, fucking other men behind my back. I had known she was cheating. I just hadn’t realized how blatantly obvious she had been about it.

“She was killed by Solovyov,” I finished.

“Of course she was,” Gregor said coldly. “She had been fucking him for months.”

His words sliced deep, but I didn’t react.

Gregor continued. “Why would a domestic issue between your wife and her lover warrant you coming into my territory without permission.”

In the background, a distinctly feminine voice murmured something teasing. “You’re kind of hot when you get all angry and demanding.”

Gregor must have covered the phone because the line went dead silent. Then, muffled laughter.

I pinched the bridge of my nose. For fuck’s sake.

Gregor was back. “Govorí.” Speak.

I didn’t hesitate. “Veronika stole money from Solovyov. She gave it to her sister. Marina took the money and ran to the States.”

Gregor exhaled sharply through his nose. “So then pay her fucking debt and end this bullshit with Solovyov.” His voice turned lethal.

Tension thrummed through my body.

I really should have called him sooner.

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